The Monitor. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 1884-1892, 1887-02-18
IDLE SUMMER DAYS.

summer is coming. Salu MISS ofeell,
one warm day in May. "This fierce sun
has filed my room with July heat to-
day"
''Six weeks more of school, six weeks
more of smoke and roa:. and then twill
all De DONE quo ted Kate Mayhem, who
came from an adjoining classroom.
eyes; lilacs and pansies on teachers
desk are sure indications. Shall tell you
what the pansies said to me this morning."
asked Miss Seymour, the primary teacher
do, please" replied Miss Green; "we
know it is something poetical or sentiment
tai but we want to hear it all the same
''They looked at me in their modest
way, and said. we know you are tired and
discouraged; you were last year at this
time. You have nearly forgotten the blue
hills, the bubbling brooks, and the idle sum-
mer days that are just at hand. Take
courage, they said look up, and ont from
your drudgery.' -
'Idle summer days. repeated Sadie
Osborn, another teacher who entered while
Miss Seymour was speaking: ''mine were
too idle last year; ! really think | should
be happier to work little. | was nearly
bored to death trying to enjoy myself
CHATS just it, we teachers are obliged
to make business of rest and recreation.
What should be pleasure we make duty,
and Try to cram for next years work. We
worry awhile over gowns, pack our trunks,
and solemnly set our faces toward noun
tain, farmhouse, or sea, TO rest, as we call
it,
"You know what Renan said to students
at Paris, the other day." asked Miss Os-
born. Crest yourselves from one kind of
work by another and another speaker
warned them against the 'morbidness OF
purposeless thought | was at a farm
house last summer, and fully appreciated
that advice"
Il believe" said Miss Mayhem, thought
fully, ''that teaching units us Tor social
life. spent my last vacation at fashion
able resort, but | seemed not part of the
gay company. nor did enjoy the amuse-
ment, frivolity, CT whatever you chose to
call it,
Il understand you, Kate, replied Miss
in a crowd .
'We resemble our Puritan ancestors. y
laughed Miss Small. "Historians say their
constant apprehension and watehfulness,
living in daily expectation, as they were,
of attacks from savage foes, with the echo
of the last war-wloop ringing in their
ears, untitled them for the diversions and
social pleasures of life"
'Your comparison is apt, Clara" re-
piled Miss Seymour. During the balmy
month of May teachers experience all the
torture that suspens can inflict. At a
season when we need all our strength, we
are reminded that the wise sachems are
soon to sit in council, and that the war
whoop will presently sound in our ears
'tBut, girls, !" said Miss Green, returning
to the subject from which they had wander
ed, I'VE earn our vacation, and ought to
enjoy it. | wonder why it is not more
satisfactory"
Il think can explain" replied Miss
Osborn, seriously. II fear we are selfish;
we seek only our own happiness
'Well, why not, when we spend ten
months of the year in laboring for
Others asked Miss Small, impatiently.
Miss Osborn made no reply, and for a
few moments the five teachers were silent.
Il believe Marion is right, /" said Miss
Mayhem, presently. ''We concede one
point-that our vacations are not satisfac-
tory. Let us each try, this summer, to put
ourselves aside and make some one happy.
Who will join me in this? %
Il don't see what | can do" demurred
Miss Small. II don't want to look at
happiness through another mans eyes.
II am ready to try it; indeed, have al
ready decided upon my line of action"
said Miss Seymour.
''Do tell us what you are going to do, it
may help us, suggested one.
mo, no; not until vacation is over;
then we will meet and compare notes.
'If the tomahawk and scalping knife do
not interfere" added Miss Small
s.We are not to teach--even for love
nor attend summer school or institute.
You all understand this ~ questioned Miss
Mayhem.
''Yes," answered Miss Osborn, ''and
don't let us waste strength and patience
over summer gowns or unnecessary sew
ing"
WELL" said Miss Small, as they left the
school-room, perhaps you are right; for
the happiest person | saw at the beach last
summer was a Miss Morgan, who came
with her sisters delicate children. She had
an object in view and cas happy, while We
we've trying to be-"
Further conversation and reflection
served to strengthen the purpose of our
teachers, and the novelty of the project led
them to look forward with unusual interest
to the vacation so near at hand.
The golden September sun that flooded
Miss Green's room seemed To welcome Miss
Seymour as she entered.
'Don't shut it out please she said, as
y u. IL.